Oleander: A Great Expectations Reimagining

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars | 906 ratings

Price: 21.83

Last update: 02-05-2025


About this item

Caspien Deveraux was poison.

It took me years to realise that he hadn't been born like that. He'd been cultivated and nurtured by a careful hand and a bitter heart. When I first met him, he was a bud. One primed to bloom beautifully and deadly. One I should have torn out at the root.

I loathed him. I loved him. And until him, I hadn't known just how completely those two things could exist at once.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Caity
    5.0 out of 5 stars A top book of 2024, easily.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2024
    Oleander is an absolute knockout, and I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re in the mood for a chest crusher. It pulled me straight under and rolled over me like a heavy wave. In fact, I ended up marathoning the book because it was so intense, but I mean that in the best way possible.

    This book is fairly different from many romances out today because it reads more like a Greek epic melodrama, spanning years. There’s potent tragedy, malevolence, pain and lessons learned. Every character & interaction is afforded the perfect amount of detail and time. The story is lush and beautifully fleshed out.

    Both boys are lonely, sad and broken in very different ways and couldn't be more opposite in personality. It’s told from Jude’s POV throughout, but this makes Caspian’s life mysterious and lends to a sense of dread. You want resolution for Jude, while at the same time you become more intensely curious about Caspian. They make their separate choices to choose love before they even know what it means or how to show it to each other, and after years of pining, heartache, growth and healing they eventually get their HEA.

    Oleander is going to stay with me for a long long time.
  • Laura
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
    Achingly beautiful and artfully written. The characters jump off the page with heartrending emotion. What am absolute gem of a reimagined classic. I will now always see the story the way this author has told it. Absolutely phenomenal read.
  • Ruby Vang
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book About A Man Who Pines
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    I’ve read plenty of books where one mc pines for the other, but I think this one goes beyond that lol. It’s ONLY pining and bittersweet romance throughout the book! The writing was beautiful and tortuous. I definitely cried and hurt for the mc. I also like that the POV is the top mc which is breathtaking.
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written retelling
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
    If you loved Song of Achilles and Great Expectations, then this is the book for you.
    A raw sexual awakening and lifelong love story that is well written and more engrossing than most romance novels.
    As always, be mindful of the trigger warnings.
    Here they are not wrung out to up the angst, but rather flow as an integral part of the story.
  • Maia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Caspien & Jude ❤️❤️ Love them!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    Oleander by Scarlett Drake ????????
    This is one of these love stories which will stay on your mind forever.

    Jude & Caspien, I love them both❤️❤️ and I was so happy when they finally found their way to each other.
    Their story is so heartbreaking and my heart still hurts for them. Poor Jude, he loves Caspien with all his heart and endures so much. Caspien has his own secrets and also has to pay the price for his choices. This story is unique and written with exquisite style.
    I also highly recommend listening to their love story on audiobook. The narrator George Naylor's voice and performance is amazing. He is a perfect Jude. I absolutely love it.
    I would like to read more about happy Jude & Caspien...
    Highly recommend you to read and listen to this book. It's a new classic.
    Customer image
    Maia
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Caspien & Jude ❤️❤️ Love them!

    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    Oleander by Scarlett Drake ????????
    This is one of these love stories which will stay on your mind forever.

    Jude & Caspien, I love them both❤️❤️ and I was so happy when they finally found their way to each other.
    Their story is so heartbreaking and my heart still hurts for them. Poor Jude, he loves Caspien with all his heart and endures so much. Caspien has his own secrets and also has to pay the price for his choices. This story is unique and written with exquisite style.
    I also highly recommend listening to their love story on audiobook. The narrator George Naylor's voice and performance is amazing. He is a perfect Jude. I absolutely love it.
    I would like to read more about happy Jude & Caspien...
    Highly recommend you to read and listen to this book. It's a new classic.
    Images in this review
  • Deborah L Stone
    5.0 out of 5 stars completely captivating
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    I read this in one sitting. One of the finest pieces of literature I’ve ever read. Not a wasted word. Expert storytelling, imbued with passion, love, betrayal, crushing hurt… it’s a masterpiece.
  • julia
    5.0 out of 5 stars sweet, captivating
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    I tried this on a whim based off of reviews comparing it to my other adored series, captive prince. Drake is a really wonderful author. The characters are so frustratingly human. The dialogue is realistic and unique to each character
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars No words ???? ????
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    This book is 1000 out of 5 stars! I can not believe how painful and beautiful it was all at once. The story being told from Judes perspective, but then the epilogue from Cas was essential and genius. It is lengthy, but there is no part of the plot that isn't necessary, and you really dont feel the length because it is that good. If you've read Great Expectations, I believe there's an additional pleasure you'll get from reading this; however, if you haven't, it's still nothing shy of absolutely brilliance!

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